Mennonite
Central
Committee

MDS and MCC offer support to Amish community in wake of shooting

October 3, 2006

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) express their deep sympathy and prayers for families affected by the Oct. 2 shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines.

Both organizations are in contact with Amish community leaders and are offering support through a joint response.

MCC and MDS are accepting financial contributions to assist the affected community. Contributions may be made by phone, by mail or online. (See information below.)

Contributions to the Amish School Recovery Fund will help the affected community with medical care, transportation, supportive care and other needs.

"We call upon churches to unite in prayer and support for the Amish community at this time," said Kevin King, MDS executive director.

Ken Sensenig, assistant director of MCC East Coast, visited Amish community members after the shooting and said he is observing their resilience and is impressed with their response.

Families banded together to provide emotional support and tend to immediate needs, such as milking cows while parents rushed to the hospital, Sensenig said. Many non-Amish neighbors helped by giving rides to hospitals.

"What impresses me is how strong this community is in the face of terrible tragedy," Sensenig said.

 

 

For more information, contact Scott Sundberg, director of communications for MDS, at (717) 859-2210, (717) 917-8827 or , or contact Larry Guengerich, media/education coordinator for MCC, at (717) 333-2826 or .